Bats remain hot as Crowder Roughriders win again

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One day after the offense exploded for 15 runs in its breakout performance of the season, Crowder's bats were back in full force on Wednesday as the Roughriders battered Hutchinson Community College 13-5.

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By Levi Payton

Neosho Daily News - Neosho, MO

By Levi Payton

Posted Mar. 13, 2013 at 10:34 PM
Updated Mar 13, 2013 at 10:36 PM

By Levi Payton

Posted Mar. 13, 2013 at 10:34 PM
Updated Mar 13, 2013 at 10:36 PM

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One day after the offense exploded for 15 runs in its breakout performance of the season, Crowder's bats were back in full force on Wednesday as the Roughriders battered Hutchinson Community College 13-5.

After besting Eastern Oklahoma State in a slugfest (15-14) on 16 hits Tuesday, the Roughriders upped their production against Hutchinson as they pounded out 18 knocks and drove in 13 runs at the dish.

"Today was a little bit different than Tuesday," Lallemand said. "We had a few more letdown at-bats as the plate, but we put up the numbers, and anytime you can put up runs, especially on the road, you've got to feel good about what you're doing. (Our hitters) did a good job adjusting to the strikezone early."

After slugging two home runs on Tuesday with eight RBI, sophomore Matt Burgess ripped three more hits, including a double, and drove in two runs to help pace the attack. Tony Sandifer added to the bop in the middle of Neosho's lineup as he also had three hits, scored two runs and drove in a run.

Catcher C.J. Webster delivered the dagger, however, as he crushed a grand slam, one of two hits for him on the day, in the seventh inning to make it 13-4. It was Webster's second homer of the season, the other coming on a three-run shot, as he collected five RBI on the day. As a team, the Roughriders have now hit three grand slams this season.

Four Roughriders finished with two hits apiece — Cody Althouse, Chris Scroggins, Webster and Justin Sunde. Every batter had at least one hit, with Ty White, Sam May, Lucas Feddersen and Ryan Lazo contributing one hit.

Scroggins finished with three RBI, while Althouse, Sandifer and Lazo each had one. Feddersen, Lazo and Sandifer scored two runs apiece, while Althouse, Scroggins, Burgess, White and Webster scored one each.

Marcus Cross started on the hill for Crowder, and earned the victory after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in four innings with four walks and four strikeouts. Cody Jones, Chris Caudle, Jon Woodcock, Preston Tarkington and Andrew Schwaab combined to throw an inning apiece in relief.

"We swung the bats well," Lallemand said. "We got another guy a start on the mound, another freshman, and got a lot of guys work on the mound, so it was a productive day."

Trailing 1-0 entering the third, the Roughriders chased Hutchinson starter Kyle Simmonds with two runs, before blistering reliever Logan Landon for six runs on five hits in the fourth. They added another run in the fifth and four more in the seventh as they continued to pull away.

The Roughriders host Moraine Valley Community College in a doubleheader today at 2 p.m. at Roughrider Field.